Book awards are a big deal for authors, often marking your work as outstanding in the literary world. Whether you are a debut novelist or an established and published writer, winning or even being nominated for a prestigious award can boost your author visibility, credibility, book sales, and even career opportunities. Here are 50+ of the best book awards, focusing on how you can get nominated, submission processes, and eligibility information.
Major Book Awards
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for distinguished fiction novels by an American author. Publishers submit nominations on behalf of authors, and each submission must include three copies of the book. The prize focuses on works published from the previous year.
This award recognizes outstanding books in various categories, including fiction. Publishers can submit books for consideration, and authors may also nominate their works through their publishers. The National Book Foundation tends to prefer books that reflect the diversity of the American experiences.
Open to novels originally written in English and published in the UK, the Booker Prize allows publishers to submit titles. Authors cannot submit their works directly, but they can suggest their books to publishers. This prize has even gained international recognition, which elevates the visibility of its winners.
The Nobel Prize is awarded to authors for their overall works, rather than a specific title. Nominations can come from a select group of qualified people, including previous laureates and members of literary academies. Authors cannot nominate themselves, and there is no public submission process.
Celebrating female authors, the Women’s Prize allows publishers to submit eligible books. Authors can also self-nominate their work through their publishers. This prize aims to recognize the best female-written fiction in English, highlighting diverse voices.
PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
This award honors the best fiction by an American author published the previous year. Nominations can be submitted by publishers, authors, or even literary agencies. A panel of judges, including many bestselling writers, review submissions to select the finalists.
Recognizing excellence in science fiction and fantasy, the Hugo Awards accept nominations from members of the World Science Fiction Society. Authors can encourage their fans to nominate their works. There is typically a nomination fee for non-members.
Presented annually to the author of the best contribution to American literature for children, the Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association. Nominations are made by members of the Association for Library Service to Children, so self-nominations are not accepted.
This award honors the best books for children and young adults. Publishers can submit their works, and nominations must be made through the appropriate channels. The Horn Book Magazine also accepts recommendations from librarians and educators.
Edgar Allan Poe Awards (Edgars)
The Edgars celebrate the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, and television. Publishers and writers can submit works, but all submissions must have been published within the calendar year prior to the awards. There is a fee for submitting entries.
This prestigious award is given to an author and an illustrator for all of their works in children’s literature throughout their lifetimes. Nominations are submitted through members of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Authors cannot nominate themselves.
Awarded to Canadian authors for their fiction, the Giller Prize allows publishers to submit nominations. It is encouraged that authors looking to get submitted for this prize work closely with their publishers.
Indie and Individual Submission-Friendly Book Awards
Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards
Indie authors can submit their works for consideration directly to this competition. The awards honor the best indie books across multiple genres and categories. Authors can enter their books online, though a submission fee is typically involved.
Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY)
This award celebrates independent authors and publishers. Authors can submit their books in various categories, usually with a fee. The IPPY Awards are meant to highlight the achievements of independent authors, making it an amazing opportunity for indie creators.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
This award is open to self-published and independent authors and allows them to submit their works directly. There are entry fees that depend on the year, and the awards tend to focus on indie authors in each genre.
Indie authors can submit their works for this award, which recognizes excellence in self-publishing. The nomination process does include an entry fee.
These awards recognize self-published authors in various genres. Authors can submit their books directly, usually with an entry fee. Feedback is provided to all participants, making this award valuable for writers looking for constructive criticism and edits on their book.
This award honors outstanding writing in several categories, including fiction and non-fiction. Both publishers and authors can submit entries, typically with a fee. The award seeks to highlight books that promote a greater understanding of humanity.
Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Self-published authors are encouraged to submit their works for this prestigious award. There’s a fee associated with the submission, and winners receive great exposure in the Writer’s Digest magazine, enhancing their visibility and future publishing opportunities.
Open to self-published authors, this award celebrates exceptional indie works. Authors can submit their books directly, usually with a fee, making it a great opportunity for those in the indie community.
This award recognizes the most distinguished American picture book for children. Nominations come from publishers and only works published from the year before are eligible. Authors typically do not submit their works directly.
This award honors excellence in independent publishing. Authors or their publishers can submit entries, often involving a fee. The awards celebrate diverse categories, emphasizing the creativity of indie authors.
Chanticleer International Book Awards
Open to both traditionally published and indie authors, the Chanticleer Awards celebrate a range of genres. Authors can submit their books directly, and fees are generally involved. The awards promote literary excellence and creativity.
The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction
This award recognizes the best non-fiction books published in English. Publishers can submit works, and self-nominations are also permitted. The award focuses on high-quality literary non-fiction, making it a great opportunity for authors in this genre.
The British Book Awards (Nibbies)
These awards honor the best in British publishing across various categories. Publishers submit entries, and authors can encourage their publishers to nominate their works. The Nibbies celebrate the vibrancy of the UK publishing industry.
This award recognizes fiction that breaks the mold. Publishers can submit entries, and self-nominations are allowed through publishers. The award aims to highlight innovative and original works of fiction.
The James Tait Black Memorial Prize
This award recognizes the best fiction and biography published in the UK. Publishers can submit nominations, and authors are encouraged to work with their publishers to ensure their works are considered.
The National Book Critics Circle Award
This award is given annually to the best books in various categories, as chosen by critics. Nominations are made by the members of the National Book Critics Circle. Self-nominations are not accepted.
The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize
This award honors comedy literature, with nominations submitted by publishers and authors. The prize aims to celebrate the importance of humor in literature, making it unique among book awards.
This award celebrates fiction and non-fiction with nominations submitted by publishers and authors. The prize is open to works published in the UK, emphasizing the diversity of literary voices.
Focusing on debut fiction, this award allows publishers to submit nominations. The prize aims to discover and promote new literary talent, making it a great opportunity for first-time authors to gain a reputation and public spotlight.
This award recognizes excellence in American literature across various categories. Authors and publishers can submit entries, often involving a submission fee. The awards highlight both established and emerging literary talent.
Open to authors from all backgrounds, these awards recognize outstanding books across multiple genres. Authors can submit their works directly, typically with an entry fee. The awards aim to promote excellence in publishing.
These awards honor books published in various categories worldwide. Authors or their publishers can submit entries, usually with a fee. The International Book Awards focus on recognizing the best in global literature.
The Reader’s Favorite Book Awards
Open to all authors, this award celebrates exceptional literature across multiple genres. Authors can submit their works directly, typically with a fee. The awards provide winners with promotional opportunities, enhancing their visibility and possibly future publishing opportunities.
The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
Recognizing excellence in self-published and independent authors, the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards allow authors to submit their works directly. There is usually a submission fee involved, and the awards highlight diverse genres.
The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition Awards
Open to writers in various genres, this competition recognizes excellence in writing. Authors can submit their works directly, usually with an entry fee. The competition provides feedback and recognition, making it a valuable opportunity for writers.
Diverse Book Awards
These awards honor LGBTQ+ literature across various categories. Nominations can be submitted by authors, publishers, and literary agents. There is a small fee for submission.
This award recognizes the outstanding work of Latino authors and illustrators. Nominations come from publishers, and authors are encouraged to work with their publishers to ensure their books are submitted.
Awards for Specific Genres
The RITA Awards (Romance Writers of America)
Celebrating excellence in romance fiction, the RITA Awards accept nominations from publishers and authors. Authors can submit their works through their publishers, and a fee is often involved for entries.
Presented by the Horror Writers Association, these awards celebrate excellence in horror literature. Publishers and authors can submit works for consideration, typically with an entry fee involved.
These awards recognize the best in science fiction and fantasy, with nominations submitted by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Authors are encouraged to promote their works for consideration.
Awarded to the best science fiction novel published in the UK, the Clarke Award accepts nominations from publishers. Authors cannot nominate their own works.
Open to fans, the Dragon Awards recognize excellence in science fiction and fantasy. Nominations can be made by anyone, and there is no fee to submit. This award celebrates the voices of readers in these genres.
These awards honor literature inspired by myth and fantasy. Nominations can be submitted by authors, publishers, or readers. There’s usually no fee involved, making it accessible for indie authors.
Celebrating excellence in Christian fiction, the Christy Award allows authors to submit their works directly for consideration. There is a fee associated with submissions, and the award focuses on various categories, highlighting the best in Christian literature.
These awards, presented by the Crime Writers’ Association, recognize excellence in crime writing. Nominations can be submitted by publishers and authors, usually with an entry fee. The Daggers celebrate both fiction and non-fiction works in the crime genre.
This award honors books that promote environmental awareness and social justice. Nominations can be submitted by publishers and authors, and there is an entry fee. The award aims to highlight literature that inspires positive change.
Children’s Book Awards
Awarded for outstanding children’s literature, the Carnegie Medal accepts nominations from librarians and educators. Authors cannot nominate their own works, showing the importance of library support in the nomination process.
These awards celebrate the best children’s books as chosen by young readers. Nominations come from teachers and librarians, and authors cannot nominate their own works. The awards are given based on reader engagement and enjoyment.
The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
These awards recognize excellence in children’s books across various categories. Authors can submit their works directly, typically with a submission fee. The Moonbeam Awards aim to promote literary quality and creativity in children’s literature.
Awarded to outstanding books for children and young adults, the Jefferson Cup accepts nominations from publishers, libraries, and individuals. There is no submission fee for this award.
EBook Awards
Focusing on eBooks, this award honors outstanding electronic publications. Authors can submit their eBooks directly, usually with an entry fee. The awards celebrate the digital format and its contributions to literature.
These awards recognize excellence in electronic literature across genres. Authors can submit their eBooks for consideration, typically involving a fee. The eLit Awards promote digital storytelling and innovation.
AudioBook Awards
The Independent Audiobook Award (IAA)
These awards celebrate the best in independent audiobooks. Authors or their publishers can submit nominations, typically with a fee. The awards promote excellence in audiobook production and storytelling.
Recognizing excellence in audiobook production, the Audie Awards accept nominations from publishers and authors. There is typically a fee involved in submitting entries, making this a prestigious opportunity for authors in the audiobook format.
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